Answer to Little Abraham' s Speech

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An Answer to a Speech of Little Abraham, a Mohawk, to the Magistrates and Committee of the Town of Schenectady, and Mayor, Corporation, and Committee of the City of Albany:

BROTHERS: We are sorry that any reports spread amongst you should alarm you or make you uneasy. We know of no troops or companies coming from any quarter to molest you, or to apprehend and take away by violence your Superintendent, or extinguish your council fire. We have not heard, nor do we know, the New-England people ever intended to molest you or your Superintendent; nor do we believe it; for they are our friends, and they are your friends, and will do neither of us injury.

Brothers: We cannot, however, pass over in silence what probably may have given rise to such reports. We understand that two persons passing on their own business, were detained by your Superintendent, they being New-England men, which is against our laws; perhaps this may have occasioned the report.

Brothers: We are extremely well satisfied to learn that you have no inclination or purpose to interfere in the dispute between Old England and America, for you must not understand that it is with Boston alone; it is between Old England and all her Colonies; the people here are oppressed by Old England, and she sends over Troops among us to destroy us; this is the reason our people are all in alarm to defend themselves. They intend no hostilities against you; do you continue peaceable, and you need apprehend no danger; it is a dispute wherein you have nothing to do; don' t you disturb any of our people, and depend upon it they will leave you in peace.

Brothers: As we have always lived in strict friendship, so we mean to continue to live in peace, not only with our brethren, the Mohawks, but all the Six Nations, for which reason we desire our brethren to give ear to no reports that may prevail. You can at any time satisfy yourselves more fully, if you choose to send down to us one or more of your Nation, any of whom we shall always be glad to see, to talk with them on these affairs.